Mahamrityunjaya Mantra

महा मृत्युंजय मंत्र

Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

Known as the greatest death-conquering chant, this mantra is dedicated to the three-eyed Lord Shiva (Tryambaka).

Chant in Japa 2 min

Deity: Shiva
Tradition: Shaiva, Universal
Purpose: Arogya (health), Ayu-vriddhi (longevity), Apamrityu-harana (warding off untimely death), Moksha (liberation).
Source: Ṛgveda; Śaiva and Vedic traditions, now universal.

मूल पाठ

Sanskrit text

ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्। उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान् मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मामृतात्

Oṃ tryambakaṃ yajāmahe sugandhiṃ puṣṭivardhanam | urvārukam iva bandhanān mṛtyor mukṣīya māmṛtāt

Mahamrityunjaya Mantra — recitation

Coming soon

अर्थ

Meaning

"We worship the three-eyed One (Lord Shiva), who is fragrant and who nourishes all beings. May He liberate us from death for the sake of immortality, just as a ripe cucumber effortlessly separates from its binding stalk."

संदर्भ

Context

Originally revealed to Maharshi Vashistha in the Rigveda, it was also championed by Sage Markandeya. It stands alongside the Gayatri Mantra as one of the two most essential and widely chanted mantras in the Hindu tradition.

प्रयोग

How it is traditionally used

Chant 11, 27, 54, 108, or 1008 times daily as capacity allows. While 27, 54, and 108 align with the mathematical divisions of a Rudraksha mala, 11 specifically honours the 11 forms of Shiva (Ekadasha Rudras). Sit ideally facing north for healing, or east for spiritual elevation. For severe illness or intense astrological afflictions (like a difficult Saturn transit), a sustained ritual practice (anushthana) of chanting it 1,25,000 times over a fixed period is prescribed. Observe the quarter-verse metrical pauses (shiksha marks) to maintain proper breathing rhythm.

Sources & References

Source / TraditionṚgveda; Śaiva and Vedic traditions, now universal.

Scriptural ReferencesŚruti (Veda), Śaiva Āgama, Smṛti (Purāṇas). · Ṛgveda (Maṇḍala 7, Sūkta 59, Mantra 12), Śiva Purāṇa, Mantra Mahodadhi, Agni Purāṇa (for ritual directions). · Ṛgveda Saṃhitā; Śiva Purāṇa (Rudra Saṃhitā - for counts and Ekādaśa Rudras); Mantra Mahodadhi (for the bīja saṃpuṭa); Agni Purāṇa (for japa sitting directions)

Regional TraditionUniversal

Editorial NoteThe pure verse, revealed to Maharṣi Vasiṣṭha, is composed in a variation of the Anuṣṭubh metre. Proper śikṣā dictates a micro-pause (yati / shiksha mark) at the end of each of its four quarters (e.g., after 'yajāmahe' and 'bandhanān'). The Śiva Purāṇa prescribes the 1,25,000 count for a full anuṣṭhāna to overcome apamṛtyu (untimely death). Texts like the Agni Purāṇa explicitly prescribe facing North for healing and longevity (pauṣṭika karmas) or East for spiritual elevation, while prohibiting facing South (the direction of Yama). The Mantra Mahodadhi provides the Tāntrika Saṃpuṭita version, the bījas "Oṃ hauṃ jūṃ saḥ" is added to the beginning and end. This "encased" (Samputita) version comes from Agamic texts and is heavily utilised in intense astrological remedies for physical healing. For daily devotion and spiritual growth, the pure classical Vedic form is universally advised.

Dharmartha presents traditional knowledge with respect for its sources. Practices vary by lineage and region; this material does not assert exclusive or universal authority.

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